# NTSB CEN09CA480: Boring Robert Burton RV6A, N613LE, Demming, NM, July 31, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 31, 2009, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Demming, NM
- Coordinates: 32.260681, -107.75045 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2607&lon=-107.7505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74410
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA480
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74410/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74410
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA480

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to manage and monitor fuel usage.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Boring Robert Burton RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05610NG), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Boring Robert Burton RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05610NG), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Boring Robert Burton RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=05610NG), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boring Robert Burton RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05610NG), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Boring Robert Burton RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05610NG), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Boring Robert Burton RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05610NG), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While on final approach to land, the pilot initiated a go around due to a glider on the runway. When he added power the engine lost power, forcing the pilot to land short of the runway and impact the airport perimeter fence. A witness overheard the passenger say "they switched fuel tanks after the engine lost power, but it didn't do anything." Examination of the airplane revealed that the right fuel tank contained approximately one quart of fuel and the fuel selector was on the left tank. Investigators were able to confirm fuel flow from the left tank and no fuel flow from the right tank. Damage was confirmed to the engine firewall and wing spars.

## Factual narrative

While on final approach to land, the pilot initiated a go around due to a glider on the runway. When he added power the engine quit, forcing the pilot to land short of the runway and impact the airport perimeter fence. A witness overheard the passenger say "they switched fuel tanks after the engine quit, but it didn't do anything." Examination of the airplane revealed the right fuel tank contained approximately one quart of fuel and the fuel selector was on the left tank. Investigators were able to confirm fuel flow from the left tank and no fuel flow from the right tank. Damage was confirmed to the engine firewall and wing spars.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N613LE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N613LE-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 23993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BORING ROBERT BURTON RV6A
- Registry model: [Boring Robert Burton RV6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/boring-robert-burton-rv6a) (registry code 05610NG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 23993
- Airframe hours: 318
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Van Lauwe David C
- Registered owner: Van Lauwe David C
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 21, 2009
- Departed: LRU, Las Cruces, NM
- Destination: DMN, Demming, NM
- Airport: DMN, Demming Municipal AIrport, runway 08, 6,627 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 239 total, 169 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20090731015019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090731015019A), Jul 31, 2009: Amtr RV6A, Deming, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 31, 2009, at 1045MDT, a vans RV6-A, N613LE, registered to the owner, was unable to reach the runway after initiating a "go around" due to glider…

## Other investigations on N613LE (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN14LA471](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA471), Sep 1, 2014: Boring Robert Burton RV6A (N613LE), Las Cruces, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing a stall/spin.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 5, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74410. 754 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 662 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318075&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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